I have a male bullfinch as a regular feeder in the garden but I am surprised to see it only has a claw on one leg, the other leg hangs down without anything on the end ,is this a usual thing with any birds generally.
It feeds ok but gets chased off by another male which I think is probably normal.
mrb2458
Oh poor thing it sounds like it may have have damaged its legs, perhaps by getting them caught, I saw a pigeon once with what looked like fishing wire wraped around its legs poor thing could hardly walk properly. It is normal for birds to be chasing each other away, it happens alot in my garden, more so now spring is in the air.
There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.
That is such a sad thing to happen. Bullfinches in gardens are not that common. I have only had them this year in the really bad weather. I wonder if it caught its feet in one of those netted feeders? I keep asking my supplier of fat balls to make them without the plastic netting. Hope it survives, I know of a one legged crow that has bred successfully for 3 years so you never know.
I'm always look forward to seeing the wonderful green of the leaf buds coming into life you don't see any other time of year and the first swallow around the 15th April. Spring, Spring Spring.
Mt mum has a single starling then only has one foot. He seems to get about ok, but is perhaps on his own because of the damaged leg.
Sarah
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn...
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Hi Brambles,
I had a one footed starling in my garden,if it was the same one it came here for two years,but i haven't seen it this year ,it must be at your mums house :0)
Littleowl
Hi littleowl.
Not so unlikely as you are in somerset aren't you. not too big a flight to North Devon. Lets hope it's the same one and its doing ok
Foot injuries are common in birds and net feeders are indeed a hazard. Birds fine claws can easily get entangled and damaged in these things so they are best avoided.
Birds do come across natural hazards as well and foot deformities do occur but litter and man-made hazards are major offenders. Thankfully birds are adaptable and resilient creatures and can amazingly survive with the use of one foot despite the obvious complications.
Fingers crossed this male bullfinch will be plucky enough to survive
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
hi thanks for that I take all netting off fat balls etc and my feeders all have clear plastic stands on them, he seems fine generally and i'm hopefull he continues for some time, I have up to 3 males and females regularly in the garden.
mrb2458 said: I have a male bullfinch as a regular feeder in the garden but I am surprised to see it only has a claw on one leg, the other leg hangs down without anything on the end ,is this a usual thing with any birds generally. It feeds ok but gets chased off by another male which I think is probably normal.